Ravneet
Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 11
Punjabi University professors associated with Punjabi University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) on Thursday resorted to burning the effigies of University acting Vice-Chancellor, and the state government over their demands.
The protest started at 8 am and continued till 10:30 am.
The University professors along with students of political outfits shut the gates and raised slogans against the University over its failure to generate grants for functioning which has been under severe fund-crunch.
Professors, who were part of the protest, said it was the first time in the history of the University that disbursement of the salaries of the employees had been delayed for over a month.
“The University has failed to disburse the salaries of the month of December throughout January. The University is in a severe financial crunch and the officials seem to be doing nothing about it”, an official said.
PUTA president Professor Nishan Singh Deol said: “The University non-teaching ad-hoc employees’ extension was to be discussed in the syndicate which has been postponed. The teaching and non-teaching faculty’s promotions have been done, but there are waiting for their letter under the Career advancement scheme, but that is also pending. They are not issuing the letters since four months.”
He said the GPF amount to be disbursed with the employees’ monthly salary was also pending.
Professor Nishan Singh Deol said: “The University VC Ravneet Kaur has not visited the University campus in a month, this has led to creation of a gap among the administration and the faculty as many matters are left unresolved.”
Students who participated in the protest said the University is planning to increase their course fee and has already increased the fine for late submission of library books.
“We are against both the decisions. The University should also not levy GST on various services it provides as they are part of an academic institution and its services”, Sandeep Kaur, state Committee member of Punjab Radical Students’ Organisation.
The professors and teachers said they will intensify their stir in the coming days.
PUTA burns effigy of Punjabi Varsity VC, Punjab government over grants
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